Match Preview – Wigan vs. Sydney

Wigan face Sydney Roosters in the World Club Challenge – live on Sky Sports

Wigan seeks to make the home club a winner in the World Club Challenge, live on Sky sports,

The Warriors' 22-6 win over the Cronulla Sharks at the DW Stadium in 2016 is the only success recorded by the Super League champions since 2012.

Wigan Warriors vs. Sydney Roosters

February 17, 2019, 6:30 pm

Live on

The Melbourne Storm thrashed Leeds Rhinos 38-4 last year, so there were also landslide victories for South Sydney and North Queensland in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The Warriors warmed up for the one-off fixture with a confidence-boosting 34-16 win over Leeds Rhinos last Friday, and are in search of their fifth World Club Challenge title.

12:26 Phil Clarke and Jason Robinson look ahead to Sunday's World Club Challenge

Phil Clarke and Jason Robinson look ahead to Sunday's World Club Challenge

Wigan wants to overcome the initial struggles to handle the fixture. Having just four of 16 from its inception in 1976 through to 2008, there have been eight Australian victories and just two defeats since.

Warriors head coach Adrian Lam is expecting a high-quality contest and can come up against his son Lachlan, who is making his debut for the Roosters.

Lam told Sky Sports: "It's an amazing game when you look across the board because there's international players at the elite level on both teams.

Wigan suffered World Club Challenge heartache against the Roosters in 2014

Wigan have been a big game team over a long period of time, so it's another match where the players need to stand up, especially our leaders. "

At 10 years his junior, Cordner has spoken of his respect for the warriors stalwart ahead of their reunion.

1:04 Wigan Warriors prepared for the World Club Challenge against Sydney Roosters at the DW Stadium on Sunday by rocking out to tribute band The AC / DC Experience during training

Wigan Warriors prepared for the World Club Challenge against Sydney Roosters at the DW Stadium on Sunday by rocking out to tribute band The AC / DC Experience during training

He said, "I can remember watching him as a kid – he's been a great player for a long time."

Trent Robinson's Roosters can equal Wigan's four-song recordings (1976, 2003, 2014), and there is no shortage of stars he can call upon.

Bringing international pedigree as her backbone with Kangaroos' Cooper Cronk – James Tedesco, Luke Keary and Jake Friend named in the 23-man traveling party that has been training in Paris this week.

Robinson said, "Wigan really lays down the foundations for a World Club Challenge, especially in the 1990s with some of those amazing names of rugby league, and not just English rugby league, across the world.

Hooker Victor Radley is part of a formidable rooster's side taking on Wigan

"They were incredible players, and they were looking for a strong force there, and that built the Wigan even more.

Wigan's Zak Hardaker is one of the biggest games in the rugby league calendar.

The full-back said: "We've got plenty of experience in our ranks, and even though we've got them, we've won Grand Finals, we've beaten Cronulla two years ago so we've got the experience there.

1:04 Sky Sports' Barrie McDermott talks about the key players that could decide on the World Club Challenge between Wigan Warriors and Sydney Roosters.

Sky Sports' Barrie McDermott talks about the key players that could decide on the World Club Challenge between Wigan Warriors and Sydney Roosters.

"It's just about rising to the challenge, playing Super League rugby league, it's going to be fascinating, and I'm really looking forward to playing a part."

Team news

Dan Sarginson has overcome ankle injury in the first half of the win against Leeds to be named in the Warriors' 19-man squad.

Jarrod Sammut does not want to be involved in a two-match suspension, while Dom Manfredi misses out (knee).

2:38 Highlights from the DW Stadium where Wigan will win their first win of the season with victory over Leeds on Friday night.

Highlights from the DW Stadium where Wigan will win their first win of the season with victory over Leeds on Friday night.